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Lotus Zap-X
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 6:36 pm
by r055
am i running a bit behind with this...?
auto express (yahoo cars) wrote:
Wednesday 28th March 2007, 2:02 PM
First came Lotus's debut MPV, then a hybrid... and now the firm's experts have combined the two
It's the ZAP-X, a crossover SUV, inspired by the firm's APX concept, with an entirely electric powertrain. Producing 644bhp, it's capable of 0-60mph in only 4.8 seconds, and can reach a top speed of 155mph.
To ensure handling is up to scratch, the newcomer uses Lotus's Variable Vehicle Architecture (VVA) chassis technology. Put simply, the system comprises four extruded aluminium poles held together by suspension mounting points to create a rectangle that can be adjusted to suit nearly any type of vehicle. Lightweight and strong, the set-up was judged perfect for US-based electric car maker ZAP.
The resulting ZAP-X, which uses four wheel hub-mounted motors and advanced batteries, has a touring range of 350 miles and recharges in 10 minutes.
The powertrain was previewed by Lotus at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year in a Proton Gen2. The Efficient Variable Environmental (EVE) system was designed to showcase the company's ability in adapting existing cars to take hybrid engines.
However, it's not the first time that Lotus has teamed up with a car builder to create an electric vehicle. It has also worked with Californian manufacturer Tesla to develop a new electric sportster, prototypes of which have been spotted testing in the UK.
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 6:42 pm
by Tom
erm, i think someones having laugh.......
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 6:53 pm
by r055
i am a bit sloooow....
found it in pistonheads from january...
http://www.pistonheads.com/lotus/defaul ... ryId=15804
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 7:35 pm
by kenny
Tom wrote:erm, i think someones having laugh.......
April fools day is tomorrow!
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 10:49 pm
by Victor Meldrew
kenny wrote:Tom wrote:erm, i think someones having laugh.......
April fools day is tomorrow!
Remember the Lotus pick up... now that would sell in America
Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 1:59 pm
by simon
Nope, this one is serious, don't you remember the APX concept from a year ago? It looked almost identical to that and was built to show off their VVA chassis technology, which is meant to be the same platform the new Esprit is using.
Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 2:09 pm
by CSK_423
simon wrote:Nope, this one is serious, don't you remember the APX concept from a year ago? It looked almost identical to that and was built to show off their VVA chassis technology, which is meant to be the same platform the new Esprit is using.
Looks like a Proton Genesis x or whatever it's called
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 9:16 am
by delands
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 9:31 am
by Titanium S1 111S (gla)
Figures look impressive.
0-60 4.8 sec
155 mph
350 mile range
and most impressively 10 minute recharge.
If the figures are real – which seems a bit unlikely - then it sounds like the first viable electric car. Range has always been the problem but if you can really get 350 (or even 200) and can recharge in 10mins (which is no more than a quick coffee and loo stop) then the days of the internal combustion engine are numbered.
Pity it was styled by David Blanket’s Labrador but that’s the easy bit to fix.